Segments in this Video

WikiLeaks Informant(05:00)

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Chelsea Manning grew up as Bradley Manning in the Bible Belt and joined the military as an analyst; she struggled with gender identity. Manning reviewed evidence of counter insurgency warfare and leaked over 700,000 classified documents before she was taken into custody.

National Security Threat?(03:15)

Former NSA Deputy Director Richard Ledgett does not believe Manning is a whistleblower. Some of the reports Manning leaked were found in Osama Bin Laden's compound. Manning faced 22 charges, plead guilty to some, and was sentenced to 35 years in prison.

Gender Transitioning in Prison(03:19)

Manning explains her decision to come out as transgender. The military initially denied her request for medical treatment; she attempted suicide and was sent to solitary confinement.

Plea for Mercy(05:47)

Manning has accepted responsibility for her actions. She wrote a letter to President Obama, asking for clemency; her commuted sentence sparked backlash. Manning feels a sense of responsibility for those struggling with gender identity.

Description

Chelsea Manning was convicted of the largest leak of government secrets in American history. In this ABC News video, Manning speaks about her actions, her imprisonment, the struggle to be herself, and her letter to President Obama that helped to win her freedom.